'New Wording To Target Those Aiding Foreign Agents'

A local deputy to the National People's Congress said an unexpected change of wording in the national security law being drafted by Beijing is to target local people who help foreign agents interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

Ip Kwok-him, who's also an executive councillor, told an RTHK radio programme on Friday that the change is reasonable.

He believes people would only violate the law if they take actions that harm the interests of Hong Kong and China, such as pushing for sanctions.

Ip also noted that lawmakers and executive councillors often interact with foreign dignitaries and have official visits to other countries.

He said such meetings would be fine under the new law, but if the persons concerned have ulterior motives and want to harm Hong Kong, then that might be considered a violation of the law.

Ip's comments come after it was reported that the NPC Standing Committee will review the draft legislation over the next few days, and the bill for the legislation will cover separatism, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

The wording of the fourth offence appeared to have changed, as previously it was believed the law would outlaw the "intervention of foreign forces" in Hong Kong affairs.

Critics of the law have raised concerns about the change in wording.

Convenor of the pro-democracy camp in Legco, Tanya Chan, said Hong Kong risks being marginalised on the international scene if people get scared of having exchanges with representatives from foreign countries because they might violate the law.

"This kind of legislation would create white terror," she said, adding it may affect even normal communication between parliaments as well as government officials.

She said the vague and uncertain definition of collusion also means that people could breach the law unknowingly.